#FLICKER WOODPECKER PATCH#

The red-shafted flicker is common in the west. The red-shafted flicker has pinkish feathers on the inside of its wings and the male has a red mustache. Yellow-shafted flickers are found in the east and the north.

#FLICKER WOODPECKER PATCH#

The yellow-shafted flicker has a red patch on its neck and yellow feathers on the inside of its wings. Throat color, head color, and the presence of a red marking on the neck can vary depending on the subspecies. There are five subspecies of northern flicker: the yellow-shafted flicker, the red-shafted flicker, the gilded flicker, the Guatemalan flicker, and the Cuban flicker. The male has a black or red 'mustache' that runs from his bill down to his cheek. It has a white tail with black bars and a black tip, a light brown to off-white breast with black to brown spots, and a black 'bib' on its upper chest. The northern flicker is a large brown woodpecker. One northern flicker's stomach contained almost 2,000 ants.ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least Concern Northern flickers' fondness of ants has created another problem-a number of them have died after consuming ants contaminated with insecticides. Loss of suitable feeding and nesting sites due to logging and development are no doubt making an impact on this species. Once common across much of the United States, northern flicker populations appear to be falling. It apparently reminded other soldiers of the underwings of 'yellowhammers' or northern flickers. Other In the Civil War (1860-1865), Confederate soldiers from Alabama were called 'Yellowhammers' because of the yellow cloth on their uniforms. The 'red-shafted flicker' (red under wings) migrates shorter distances. In parts of Texas, they are year-round residents. Distribution The 'yellow-shafted flicker' (yellow under wings) migrates from Alaska to Nicaragua. Northern flickers tend to avoid unbroken or dense forests, preferring to forage for food in open areas. Habitat Flickers like woodlands, especially where dead or partially dead trees for nesting sites can be found. The species, auratus, is from the Latin root aurat, meaning 'gold' or 'golden' and refers to its underwing. The genus name Colaptes is from the Greek word colapt and means 'peck', which is, after all, what woodpeckers do best. Both parents contribute to nest construction and incubation. Northern flickers will take advantage of an existing nest site or man-made nest boxes. When mating, the males flash their bright bellies, breasts and rump patches, flap their wings, and swing their heads back and forth. Although diurnal, these birds tend to migrate at night, with weather determining both migration rates and departure dates. Northern flickers are diurnal (most active during the daylight hours). Under ideal conditions, two broods may be raised in one season. Young leave the nest about four weeks after hatching. Females usually lay five to eight eggs, which hatch after 11 to 16 days. The nest's entrance is about 2.75 inches (7 cm) in diameter. Nests are excavated in dead trees or dead portions of living trees, generally 6 to 20 feet (1.8 to 6 m) above the ground, but as high as 100 feet (30 m). Its mating season lasts from February through July. The northern flicker reaches sexual maturity at one year. Its predators include raccoons, feral cats, and hawks. Life History Ants and other insects, nuts, fruit and seeds make up the northern flicker's diet. Its white rump patch flashes as it flies, hence, 'flicker.' It is the only woodpecker that feeds on the ground. Other distinguishing characteristics include a pale breast with black spots crescent-shaped patch at the base of the throat white rump yellow breast and undersides of their wings (but red in western populations) and downward curving bill. The northern flicker is the only member of the woodpecker species with a brown-colored back. It has a gray-brown back with dark spots and a red crescent at the nape of the neck. Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus) Description The northern flicker reaches a height of 12 to 13 inches (30 to 33 cm), with an 18- to 21-inch (45 to 53 cm) wingspan.

Flicker woodpecker